Euthanasia 'tourists,' including children, flock to Catholic-majority Belgium where assisted suicide is free and easy

Protesters demonstrate against the law authorising euthanasia for children, in Brussels on Feb. 11, 2014. Reuters

It's free, easy ... and deadly indeed.

That's how physician-assisted suicide looks like in Belgium, ironically a Catholic-majority European nation. Patients—including children—suffering from terminal diseases or psychiatric conditions have been flocking to the European country to have their wish of ending their misery fulfilled. The patients are killed with a lethal injection administered by a doctor.

Doctors at hospitals and clinics in Brussels, the Belgian capital, are seeing an increase in number of euthanasia "tourists" who come from all over the world, mostly from neighbouring France, the International Business Times (IBT) reports.

At Belgium's Brugmann University hospital, Dr. Oliver Vermylen said nearly half of the euthanasia patients come from France, where elective medical killings are illegal.

"It's a phenomenon that did not exist five or six years ago. Nowadays I get phone calls about French people who arrive in the emergency room announcing that they want euthanasia," Vermylen told Belgium's Sudpresse newspaper, The Times reports.

Belgium has the world's most liberal law on physician-assisted suicide, which is not just for the terminally ill, according to PBS Newshour.

Patients – even children – with psychiatric conditions can request euthanasia, a hospital service that enjoys overwhelming public support as surveys have shown, PBS reports.

Many doctors say it gives patients with constant and unbearable suffering a practical and humane way to die peacefully, it adds.

What draws many of the world's patients to Belgium is the fact that euthanasia in this country is usually free since the treatment is covered by the European Union's health insurance card, according to IBT. The patients' bills are simply sent to French healthcare providers.

Last year, IBT reported that 2,023 patients availed themselves of assisted suicide in Belgium, noting that the number has more than doubled in five years.

Belgium legalised euthanasia in May 2002. In 2013, the Belgium government broadened the law to include children, CBN News reports.

related articles
Legalising assisted suicide will \'hide killing with euphemisms,\' Canada\'s Catholic leader says
Legalising assisted suicide will 'hide killing with euphemisms,' Canada's Catholic leader says

Legalising assisted suicide will 'hide killing with euphemisms,' Canada's Catholic leader says

The taking of human lives — legally and with doctors\' consent — has been made much easier in this European country
The taking of human lives — legally and with doctors' consent — has been made much easier in this European country

The taking of human lives — legally and with doctors' consent — has been made much easier in this European country

\'Path to self-destruction\': Catholic bishop blasts bills on physician-assisted suicides in New York
'Path to self-destruction': Catholic bishop blasts bills on physician-assisted suicides in New York

'Path to self-destruction': Catholic bishop blasts bills on physician-assisted suicides in New York

Canada\'s House of Commons passes medical assistance in dying bill
Canada's House of Commons passes medical assistance in dying bill

Canada's House of Commons passes medical assistance in dying bill

Belgian Catholic nursing home has to pay damages for refusing euthanasia
Belgian Catholic nursing home has to pay damages for refusing euthanasia

Belgian Catholic nursing home has to pay damages for refusing euthanasia

\'Doctors are healers, not killers\': U.S. Medical Association reaffirms opposition to physician-assisted suicide
'Doctors are healers, not killers': U.S. Medical Association reaffirms opposition to physician-assisted suicide

'Doctors are healers, not killers': U.S. Medical Association reaffirms opposition to physician-assisted suicide

Roman Catholic officials in Malta stand firm against pills that kill babies, euthanasia
Roman Catholic officials in Malta stand firm against pills that kill babies, euthanasia

Roman Catholic officials in Malta stand firm against pills that kill babies, euthanasia

News
How modern science owes its existence to Christian theology
How modern science owes its existence to Christian theology

Some people think that you have to choose between science and religion, but that is not the case. This is the story …

US religious groups challenge new immigrant enforcement policies
US religious groups challenge new immigrant enforcement policies

A United States Federal Judge has granted an injunction that will prevent immigration agents from carrying out operations in places of worship after a group of religious organisations launched a lawsuit against the Trump administration over new enforcement policies.

Gyles Brandreth joins campaign to end avoidable sight loss
Gyles Brandreth joins campaign to end avoidable sight loss

Gyles Brandreth has thrown his support behind CBM UK’s campaign to end avoidable sight loss.

Church leaders call for 'rethink' of school closures in Ramadan
Church leaders call for 'rethink' of school closures in Ramadan

“We urge the governors of the affected states to reconsider this decision and explore alternative arrangements that respect the rights and freedoms of all citizens.”